Five Cricketers MS Dhoni has Gifted to Virat Kohli In Test Cricket

Former India skipper MS Dhoni’s contribution to Indian cricket is unmatched for as the team from the subcontinent have achieved many laurels under his leadership. From being the no 1 Test team in the ICC Rankings to defeating teams in overseas conditions, India have achieved a lot. Furthermore, there are many cricketers MS Dhoni has gifted to Virat Kohli, who are doing wonders for India in the Test arena.

Meanwhile, there are countless numbers of contribution Dhoni has, but among all one stands out. His ability to guide a young cricketer as a leader and bring the best out of him is unparallel. Many Indian cricketers have gained experience under Dhoni and is now playing a lead role in the Virat Kohli-led Indian Test team.

Here is the list of five cricketers MS Dhoni has gifted Virat Kohli in Test cricket:

MURALI VIJAY

Murali Vijay has been the mainstay of India’s batting at the top-order for quite some time now. Although he is going through a rough phase currently, he can pull up his socks quite quickly. Since making his debut in 2008 under MS Dhoni, Vijay has been a regular feature in the Indian side.

Be it in home conditions or overseas, he has stood tall and delivered at the start of the innings. Murali Vijay accounts to 3933 runs in 53 Tests at an average touch less than 40.

Ten years apart, Vijay still holds that guard strong for the Indian team and is a key component of Virat Kohli. Kohli will want his main opener to come good in the last three Test matches against England.

CHETESHWAR PUJARA

Cheteshwar Pujara has been the backbone of the Indian side since the retirement of Rahul Dravid. Many often see the shadow of Dravid in Pujara’s batting. He is calm and composed and knows where his stumps are.

Pujara boasts a Test average of 49.44 in 59 Test matches with the highest score of 206*. Moreover, he has been the highest run-getter for India after Virat Kohli in the last few years.

The Saurashtra-born cricketer, who made his debut under Dhoni, has a lot more to give to Indian cricket. Although he has struggled to find the right touch in the last few games, Pujara is one of Virat Kohli’s trump cards in this format. Indian management received a severe backlash dropping Pujara from the first Test. However, they brought him back for the second Test, but couldn’t contribute much at Lord’s.

KL RAHUL

The batsman from Karnataka has taken rapid strides since his debut in Test cricket. Starting as a middle-order batsman under MS Dhoni, he was soon promoted to the top-order. Although he has been in and out of the side due to the presence of Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan, he has made use of what little opportunities came his way.

KL Rahul, one of the most talented batters in the current India set-up, has scored runs in almost all parts of the continent. However, he has struggled a bit due to his inconsistency which he needs to take care of.

After a brilliant stint in the IPL, KL  Rahul started the England tour on a high but lost form gradually. He needs to spend more time on the crease and is one knock away from hitting the purple patch.

Rahul, 26-years-old, will be crucial to the Virat Kohli brand of the Indian team in the coming years.

BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has added strength to India’s bowling attack in all the formats of the game. Although he is well-known for the ODI formats, he can swing the ball like none other in seaming conditions.

Kumar was spectacular in the tour to South Africa leading the pace bowling attack. He was the star performer as Indian bowlers managed to pick 60 wickets in three Test matches.

The Uttar Pradesh born bowler can swing the ball both ways and are consistent with his line and length. Moreover, his ability to contribute with the bat makes him an important commodity in the hands of Virat Kohli.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar will ripe more fruits for Kohli-led India in the days to come.

MOHAMMED SHAMI

Mohammed Shami is one of the gifted bowlers for India in this generation. His ability to reverse the old ball sets him apart from the batch of current Indian bowlers.

However, a set of injuries has halted Shami’s international career. Most recently, he failed to clear the yo-yo test and missed the historic one-off Test against Afghanistan. However, he came back strong in the Test series against England. Shami has so far, bagged six wickets in three innings and has shown signs of his previous best.

With 116 wickets in 32 Tests, Shami’s inclusion makes the Indian fast bowling attack. The fast bowler from Bengal made his debut under MS Dhoni and has gained experience under his guidance to be one of the strike-bowlers of Virat Kohli.

The India skipper will want a fit Shami in the upcoming years, where India plays some crucial series away from home.